Beyond has commissioned a survey of more than 2000 social media users in the US and UK to assess the key trends in 'sharing'. The 'Future of Sharing' panel debate was loosely structured around the questions asked in the survey.

Is frictionless sharing here to stay?

What the survey said: "Some 67% of social media users have allowed an app to post to their profile, listened to a song that was automatically shared to their profile, or read an article that was automatically shared to their profile."

Background: when Facebook launched frictionless sharing last July it prompted controversy. Two good pieces set out the arguments: readwriteweb (pros and cons) and O'Reilly Radar (pro).

What does sharing mean for marketing tactics?

What the survey said: People are more willing to share content if there are incentives. Some 60% of social media users say they would opt to post about a product or service if they were offered a discount or deal.

How will sharing change?

What the survey said: Respondents are looking to share more personal milestones in what may herald a return to the more personal content of early social networking activity. But sharing activity peaks within six months of going onto Facebook -- sharing may be about to plateau.